ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Textiles
Illegal Import of Jute Bags
Due to the reports by Indian Jute Mills Association  regarding illegal import of jute bags, the Government has taken a number of measures which include issuance of Notification dated 23.05.2017 under Jute & Jute Textile Control Order, 2016 directing all manufacturers, importers, processors and traders to print certain words on the items of jute and jute textiles. In case of import, the words “Bags made in – Country of Origin” are required to be marked.
As on 19.07.2019, 493 importers and 331 traders registered their units with the Office of Jute Commissioner are required to submit monthly reports providing details of imports and in case of any irregularity the registrations of such importers are liable to be cancelled.
The Office of Jute Commissioner vide Notification dated 10.09.2015 disallowed import of used jute bags and has also written to Director General of Revenue Intelligence  to furnish information pertaining to imports of used jute bags. Custom authorities have been requested to check and report illegal imports to the Office of Jute Commissioner.
No revamp of Jute Packaging Materials  Act, 1987 has been proposed as on date.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Textiles, Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Survey on Senior Citizens
As per Census, 2011 the population of senior citizens in the country is 10.38 crore. Senior Citizens being a vulnerable group face challenges/ insecurities. As per National Crime Records Bureau Report 2021, there were a total of 26,110 crimes recorded against the senior citizens in 2021. Law and Order and Police being subject of the states, necessary action is taken by these agencies in this regard.
This information was given by Minister of state for Social Justice and Empowerment Sushri.Pratima Bhoumik in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Cabinet approves renaming of Agartala Airport, Tripura as Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya Kishore Airport, Agartala
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its approval to rename the Agartala Airport in Tripura as ‘Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya Kishore Airport, Agartala. The decision comes in the wake of the long pending demand of people of Tripura as well as the Tripura Government for paying tribute to Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya Kishore.
Background
Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya Kishore, who ascended the throne of the erstwhile Tripura Princely State in 1923, was an enlightened and benevolent ruler. Agartala Airport was constructed in 1942 on the land donated by Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya Kishore. As a visionary ruler, who had travelled extensively across the globe, he took several steps for the all-round development of Tripura. Due to his initiative, an aerodrome at Agartalawas constructed that has evolved as the second busiest airport in the North East and provides crucial air connectivity to Tripura. Hence, it is apt to rename the Agartala Airport after his name, which will be a befitting tribute to Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya Kishore.
Ministry of Defence
General Anil Chauhan takes over as Chief of Defence Staff; Vows to fulfil the hopes of the Nation & deal with challenges together
General Anil Chauhan, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM assumed office as the Chief of Defence Staff  on September 30, 2022. General Chauhan will also be the Principal Military Advisor to the Raksha Mantri on all Tri-Service matters as well as head Department of Military Affairs as Secretary. He will also be Permanent Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee .
In a brief interaction with media before taking charge, General Chauhan said that it was a matter of pride for him to be nominated as CDS. There are hopes and expectations among the three Services, government and citizens from the new CDS which, he said, he would fulfil to the best of his abilities. He added that the security challenges facing the nation will be dealt with jointly by the Services.
Earlier, General Chauhan paid homage to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. He also inspected the Tri-Service Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns, in the presence of Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral SN Ghormade and other senior officers of the Armed Forces.
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Prime Minister's Office
PM reviews Covid related operations by Indian Air Force
Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.
He briefed the PM on the efforts being undertaken by IAF to help in the Cover-19 related situation.
Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria informed the Prime Minister that the IAF has ordered 24x7 readiness of the entire heavy lift fleet and substantial numbers of the medium lift fleets to operate in a hub and spoke model to rapidly meet all Covid related tasking across the country and overseas. Aircrew for all fleets have been augmented to ensure round the clock operations.
PM stressed on the need to increase the speed, scale & safety of operations in transporting oxygen tankers & other essential material. PM spoke about the need to ensure that the IAF personnel engaged in Covid related operations remain safe from infection. He also spoke about the need to ensure safety of all Covid related operations.
Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria informed the that IAF is deploying big as well as medium sized aircrafts to cover all terrains. He briefed the PM about a dedicated COVID Air Support Cell set up by the IAF to ensure faster co-ordination with different ministries and agencies to Covid related operations.
PM inquired about the health of IAF personnel and their families. Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria apprised him that near saturation vaccination coverage has been achieved in the IAF.
He also informed the PM that hospitals under IAF have increased covid facilities and also allowing civilians wherever possible.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
MSP operation during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
As on 08.10.2020, total procurement of Paddy across all States increased by 48% from 17.7 LMT last year to 26.3 LMT this year
455.60 MT of Moong having MSP value of Rs. 3.28 Crores and 5089 MT of copra having MSP value of Rs. 52.40 crore procured
Cotton procurement has reached a quantity of 11755 bales for a value of Rs 3314.55 lakh under MSP
The arrival of Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21 has already commenced and Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes as done in previous seasons.
- As on 08.10.2020, total procurement of Paddy across all States in India increased by 48% from 17.7 LMT last year to 26.3 LMT this year.
- In the ongoing Kharif Season, Punjab registered unprecedented increase of procurement from 1.76 LMT last year to 15.99 LMT this year as on 08.10.2020, which is more than 900% of the Kharif procurement so far as compared to last year.
- During the ongoing Kharif Season, in Tamil Nadu, Paddy procurement was 9517 MT as against 320 MT on 08.10.2019. Similarly, in Uttar Pradesh, Paddy procurement so far in KMS 2020-21 has been 4423 MT this year as against 92 MT last year on October 8. Thus, both States have seen significant jump in procurement.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 30.70 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds for Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. In addition, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the State of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under Price Support Scheme  so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuring agencies.
Upto 08.10.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 455.60 MT of Moong having MSP value of Rs. 3.28 Crores benefitting 324 farmers in Tamil Nadu and Haryana. Similarly, 5089 MT of copra having MSP value of Rs. 52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu against the sanctioned quantity of 1.23 LMT for Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling at or above MSP. Respective State Governments are making arrangements for commencement of procurement in respect of Moong and other Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds.
The Procurement of seed cotton  during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21 has started from 1st October, 2020 and cumulative procurement as on 8th October, 2020 by Cotton Corporation of India has reached a quantity of 11755 bales under MSP for a value of Rs 3314.55 lakh benefitting 2404 farmers.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 137.67 Cr
More than 15 Lakh doses administered in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently at 98.39% is highest since March 2020
6,563 New Cases reported in the last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload currently is lowest in 572 days
Weekly Positivity Rate  less than 1% for last 36 days
With the administration of 15,82,079 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 137.67 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 1,44,91,123 sessions.
The break-up of the cumulative figureas per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,03,86,261
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
96,45,996
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,83,83,973
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,67,72,043
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|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
48,68,79,459
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
29,37,59,017
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
19,15,95,978
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
14,00,66,251
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
11,97,15,150
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
8,95,16,231
|
|
Total
|
|
1,37,67,20,359
The recovery of 8,077 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally of recovered patients  to 3,41,87,017.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.39%,highest since March 2020.
Sustained and collaborative efforts by the Centre and the States/UTs continue the trend of less than 15,000 Daily New Cases that is being reported for last 53days now.
6,563 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
India’s Active Caseloadis presently at 82,267. This is lowest in 572 days. Active cases constitute 0.24% of the country's total Positive Cases, which is lowest since March 2020.
The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded. The last 24 hours saw a total of 8,77,055tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 66.51 Cr  cumulative tests.
While testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, Weekly Positivity Rate at 0.60% remains less than 1% for the last 36 days now. The Daily Positivity rate reported to be0.75%. The daily Positivity rate has remained below 2% for last 77 days and below 3% for 112consecutive days now.
Prime Minister's Office
PM lauds efforts to boost petrochemicals sector in Assam and entire Northeast
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has lauded the first methanol consignment to Bangladesh from Assam Petrochemical Plant, an effort towards establishing Assam as a major exporter of petrochemicals.
Replying to a tweet by Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Prime Minister tweeted:
“This will boost the petrochemicals sector in Assam and the entire Northeast.”
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President greets people on the eve of Easter
The Vice President, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu has greeted the people of the nation on the eve of Easter.
Following is the text of the message:
I convey my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Easter, marking the resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ.
The solemn occasion of Easter reminds the people that love is stronger than hatred and that virtue will always win over evil.
Let us celebrate Easter by being compassionate towards all human beings. May this day bring peace and harmony in our lives.
Following is the Hindi text of the message:
भगवान ईसा मसीह के पुनरावतरण के प्रतीक, 'ईस्टर' के पावन अवसर पर मैं अपने सभी देशवासियों को हार्दिक बधाई और शुभकामनाएं देता हूँ।
ईस्टर का पावन अवसर लोगों को याद दिलाता है कि प्रेम, द्वेष से अधिक सामर्थ्यवान है और हम में ये आशा जगाता है कि भलाई की हमेशा ही बुराई पर विजय होगी।
आइए, अखिल मानव जाति के प्रति करुणा का भाव रखते हुए हम 'ईस्टर' के पर्व को मनाएं। यह पर्व हमारे जीवन में शांति और सौहार्द लेकर आए, यही मेरी शुभकामना है।
Ministry of Railways
KHURDA ROAD-BALANGIR RAIL LINE - ECoR GENERAL MANAGER INSPECTED KHURDA ROAD - NUAGAON RAILWAY SECTION AND ONGOING WORKS BETWEEN NUAGAON AND DASAPALLA:
Khurda Road-Balangir Railway project being monitored on regular basis by Hon'ble Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Inspected on going works between Nuagaon and Dasapalla along with Dasapalla Station Building.
Inspected Road Over Bridge  at Khurda Road.
East Coast Railway General Manager Shri Roop Narayan Sunkar inspected the Khurda Road - Nuagaon Railway Section, recently and took stock of various ongoing works along with ongoing construction works between Nuagaon and Dasapalla.
Shri Sunkar also inspected the Road Over Bridge  work at Khurda Road and Khurda Road - Nuagaon Railway Section with window trailing and reviewed safety related and traffic facility works.
Apart from this, General Manager Shri Sunkar took stock of construction work and reviewed the under construction bridges & other construction works and emphasized upon early completion of targeted works. He also advised officials to focus for the speedy completion of project especially, passenger-centric amenities. The 15.5Kms stretch of Railway section between Nuagaon and Dasapalla has been targeted to be completed by March 2023 has 57 Minor & 3 Major Bridges along with 15 Road Under Bridges  and 04 Road Over Bridges . The estimated cost of this section is Rupees 190 crores.
Out of 301 Kms stretch in Khurda Road-Balangir Rail Line project, 115.36 Km of project commissioned . Nuagaon – Daspalla  is targeted to be completed by March 2023 and Jhartarbha-Khambeswarpalli-Sonepur  is targeted to be completed by March 2023.
Hon’ble Minister of Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw is giving priority for the Development of railway infrastructure of the region along with various project works going in Odisha and also is monitoring the developmental works regularly. Khurda Road - Balangir Rail Line project is one of the focus projects of Shri Vaishnaw as this project is also being the focus project of Hon'ble Prime Minister.
Shri Vaishnaw also advised Railway officials of ECoR to work with proper coordination with the all agencies from the grassroots to sort-out land acquisition and other issues raised during construction of the much awaited public centric project. He also advised Railway officials that grassroot coordination will make a fruitful result for early completion of Khurda Road-Balangir Rail Line.
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Ministry of Labour & Employment
Gangwar reiterates India's committment towards countering the impact of Covid-19 pandemic; addresses the 109th Session of ILC
Union Minister of State  for Labour and Employment Shri Santosh Gangwar has reiterated India's committment towards making all possible efforts to counter the impact of the pandemic, and emerge stronger. Addressing the virtual Non-Aligned Movement Labour Ministers Meeting under 109th Session of the ILC here last evening, Shri Gangwar said, the world has witnessed loss of lives and livelihood, slowdown of economies, adverse impact on the entire sections of the society and especially, the weaker ones more unsafe. He said, there is need to ensure better support to the health-care systems, social protection and employment generation. Governments are required to deal with the pandemic and provide an effective response at policy levels, to balance business continuity, income security and above everything, well-being of all, he added.
The Minister informed that India has undertaken a massive vaccination drive, and a total of 223 Million vaccines have been administered so far. He said, there have been extra-ordinary changes in the lives and livelihoods and new approach should be developed for the style of the work. Use of digital platforms has posed challenges but also provided more opportunities. He added that India has made legal framework for social security of Gig and Platform workers also.
Shri Gangwar said, employment being an important aspect, India is putting key efforts through various schemes and programmes to provide employment and support on health and financial fronts also. India has launched Aatmnirbhar Bharat package for self- reliance worth Rs. 27 Thousand Billion to strengthen the economy, which also include payment of EPF contributions upto 24% of wages by the Government, in respect of eligible new employees. Further, collateral free loans worth Rs. Nine Thousand Billion have been disbursed under MUDRA Yojana in last three years, having around 70% accounts of women.
The Minister added that increase in daily wages, under Mahatma Gandhi NAREGA scheme for rural India, has resulted in employment generation of 3.9 billion man days during last financial year alone.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Union Minister For Labour &EmploymentShri Bhupender Yadav Participates in World Of Work Summit In Geneva
Planned Migration and Mobility of the Workers Has Become An Imperative Owing To Changes In The Demography Across The World: Shri Bhupender Yadav
Calls For Global Skill Mapping For Facilitating Mobility Of Skilled Workforce Across The World
Union Minister For Labour & Employment Shri Bhupender Yadavparticipated in High Level Panel discussion in Geneva today, organized by ILO under the World of Work summit on the sidelines of ILC meeting. The theme of the discussion was “Tackling multiple global crises: promoting human centered recovery and resilience”.
The discussion mainly focussed on multiple challenges that the world of work is facing such as worsening inequalities, demographic realities, unequal technological progress, informality, climate changeand what action should be taken by the countries and the international communities to tackle these challenges so as to achieve the goal of human centred, resilient and sustainable recovery.
The Ministerspoke at length about the measures India has taken totackle informality and for providing social security to the informal sector workers. He mentioned about e-shram portal for registering the informal workers and establishment of social security fund for financing their social security. He also talked about future of work, digital transformation, gig and platform workers and measures taken in the code for protection of their rights and their welfare. He emphasised on need forplanned migration and mobility of the workers which has become an imperative owing to changes in the demography across the world. He also talked about global skill mapping for facilitating mobility of the skilled workforce across the world. Government’s actionin building a resilient society and bringing about inclusive and sustainable development was also emphasised.
The other panelists of the discussion were:
- M. Pierre-Yves Dermagne, Vice-Premier Ministre, Ministre de l’Economie et du Travail, Royaume de Belgique
- Ms Isabelle Durant, Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 
- Youth expert on refugees, employment and education
- Mme Saida Neghza, Présidente, Confédération Générale des Entreprises Algériennes, République algérienne démocratique et populaire
- Mr Omar Faruk Osman Nur, General Secretary, Federation of Somali Trade Unions, Federal Republic of Somalia
Ministry of Defence
CURTAIN RAISER: GOA MARITIME SYMPOSIUM  2022
The fourth edition of the Goa Maritime Symposium  is being conducted by the Naval War College  at Goa from 31 Oct to 01 Nov 2022. The participants of the Symposium comprise Captains/ Commanders and equivalent-rank officers from Navies/ Maritime forces from friendly foreign countries viz., Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, besides India.
Conceptualised and instituted by the Indian Navy in 2016, the GMS is a forum for fostering collaborative thinking, cooperation and mutual understanding between India and key maritime nations of the Indian Ocean Region . The symposium is conducted biennially by the NWC, Goa, and three editions of the event have been organised thus far. The Symposium will be inaugurated by Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar, Commandant, Naval War College.
With the IOR becoming the focus of the 21st Century strategic landscape, the Symposium plays a constructive role in bringing together stakeholders for evolving policies, strategies and implementation mechanisms for comprehensive security in the maritime domain. The theme of GMS-2022 is “Maritime Security Challenges in the Indian Ocean Region: Converting Common Maritime Priorities into Collaborative Mitigation Frameworks”. The theme is underpinned by the idea of ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’  and five principles of Maritime Security enunciated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, which imply that the prosperity of our region is interlinked with the maritime fate of all IOR littorals.
Nestled in the lush green environs of North Goa, the venue for the Symposium is also a fitting tribute to Goa’s rich maritime heritage, which dates back to the 2nd Century BCE. With such ties to the past and the aspiration for new vistas in the future, the venue will add a unique flavour to the GMS-2022 deliberations.
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Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs 
Numligarh Refinery Assam capacity to be expanded from 3 MMTPA to 9 MMTPA
Cabinet approves setting up of crude oil pipeline from Paradip to Numaligarh and Product pipeline from Numaligarh to Siliguri
Rupees 22,594 crore project to be completed in 48 months
Expansion to meet petroleum products demand in Northeast
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to the project for capacity expansion of Numaligarh Refinery from 3 MMTPA  to 9 MMTPA. It involves setting up of crude oil pipeline from Paradip to Numaligarh and product pipeline from Numaligarh to Siliguri at a cost of Rs.22,594 crore. The project is to be completed within a period of 48 months, after approval and receipt of statutory clearances.
Expenditure:
The total project cost of Rs. 22,594 crore will be financed by a mix of debt, equity and Viability Gap Funding . The debt of Rs.15,102 crore will be raised by Numaligarh Refinery Ltd  and apart from its internal accrual of Rs.2,307 crore, the promoters, namely, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Oil India Ltd & Government of Assam  will contribute to equity. The project will be supported by Viability Gap Funding of Rs.1,020 crore from the Government of India.
Impact:
The expansion of the refinery will meet the deficit of petroleum products in the North East. It will also sustain the operations of all North East refineries by augmenting their crude availability. It will generate direct and indirect employment in Assam and is a part of the Government's Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for the North East.